"We
were organized to do a job for working people. We were organized to
fight for unity and understanding. We were organized to try to bring
people together so that they can struggle together, without any
distinctions of race, creed, color or religious or political faith."

Celebrating Seattle's Striking History:90th Anniversary of the Seattle General Strike

On February 7, 2009, we kicked off the year with an event commemorating 90 years since
the 1919 Seattle General Strike. Union members, scholars, students, musicians and others convened for an
exciting program remebering the events of 1919 and exploring their legacy.

Labor scholars including Howard Kimeldorf (University of Michigan), Robert Cherny (San Francisco State),
and Rob Rosenthal (Wesleyan University) provided background on the Seattle strike and the larger labor movement
it was a part of. Musical performances by the Anti-Fascist Marching Band, Jess Grant, and the Seattle Labor
Chorus gave the event a celebratory atmosphere. Finally, a panel on immigration rights and organizing facilitated
by Rosalinda Guillen ended the day with an important look towards the future.

Attendence at the event surpassed all expectations, and remained standing-room only for most of the day.
All in all, people cherished the oppurtunity to recognize the achivements of the labor movement and learn from
its legacies in order to grow into the future.